How to Paint Motorcycle Fairing

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Fairings are often the most criticized part a motorcycle as regards the state of the machine, mainly due to its high visibility. The faded or scratched fairing can deceive anyone to believe that the motorcycle has been left running or neglected, even if the engine and the chassis are in top-running condition. The new layer of ink can do wonders in this respect, giving life to a new fairing without painting or restoring a unique set of its former glory. Preparation is crucial for the process, so aside a lot of time to ensure that you can prepare the fairing before painting.

Show more Preparation instructions How to Paint Motorcycle Fairing

Clean the fairing with soap and water to remove any dirt, dust, and grease that can damage the fairing surface while sanding.

Scrape the fairing, using an 80-grain sandpaper soaked in soap and water. Apply mild pressure while sanding in a circular motion across the fairing surface.

Wash the fairing with clean water to remove dust from the sanding of the surface.

Sanding the fairing again, using a 280-grit sandpaper soaked in soap and water, to remove any deep scratches left on the sanding surface of the previous 80-grit sandpaper.

Wash the fairing with clean water.

Hang the fairing of a girder or rack, using a piece of wire connected to the back of the fairing. Allow the fairing to dry air completely.
Priming the fairing

Clean the surface of the fairing with a lint-free towel and isopropyl alcohol to remove the fingerprints or dust that may be seated on the surface. Do not touch the surface of the fairing for the remainder of this procedure.

Spray a Light “powder” layer of primer on the surface of the fairing, using a paint pistol. Move the pistol side by side with a quick move, while spraying. Concentrate only on leaving a thin layer dusty appearance of primer on the fairing. Allow the layer to dry for 5 minutes.

Spray the first layer of primer at the top of the fairing. Start spraying a few centimeters away from the top of the fairing. Move the pistol at the top of the fairing, and stop painting a few inches apart from the fairing.

Move the pistol even further down the fairing and spray to the opposite side, overlapping the smallest half of the anterior layer. Continue to spray the fairing with primer, working from one side to another at the bottom of the fairing.

Wait for the primer to dry for 10 minutes. Apply a primary second coat, following the method described above. Allow the primer layer to dry thoroughly for 24 hours.

Sand The primer layer, with a 280-grit sandpaper soaked in soap and water, to remove all the high points of the primer. Rinse with clean water and allow to dry before painting.
Base and clear coat

Clean the fairing surface with a lint-free towel and denatured alcohol to remove any fingerprints or dust that may have settled on the surface.

Spray the primer of the base color ink for the fairing. Start spraying a few centimeters away from the top of the fairing. Move the pistol at the top of the fairing, and stop painting a few inches apart from the fairing.

Move the pistol even further down the fairing and spray to the opposite side, overlapping the smallest half of the anterior layer. Continue to spray the fairing with the base color ink, working side by side for the bottom of the fairing.

Allow the base color ink to dry for 10 minutes. Apply a second layer of the base color by following the method described above. Allow the base color ink to dry thoroughly for 24 hours.

Sand The base color ink, with a 400-grit sandpaper soaked in soap and water. Rinse with clean water and allow to dry before painting.